Abstract

ALCANTARA, Manuel  and  RIVAS, Cristina. The Spatial Dimensions of Left-Right Polarization in Latin America. Polít. gob [online]. 2007, vol.14, n.2, pp.349-390. ISSN 1665-2037.

This article uses the interview data from the Parliamentary Elites Project of the University of Salamanca to measure left-right divisions of Latin American political parties. It identifies the dimensions of left-right polarization (state intervention, values, images of the United States, the armed forces, and democracy). It relies upon Hj-Biplot, a statistical technique that permits simultaneously representing the dimensions of polarization and their particular weight in left-right cleavages. The article concludes that images of the United States, values, and support for democracy are the principal dimensions of polarization between legislative parties in selected Latin American countries.

Keywords : political cleavages; party polarization; left and right; biplot representation; Latin America.

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